Frankfurt, Germany -- Audi revealed their 2018 Audi e-tron quattro BEV to the media earlier today and in doing so, provided a time line towards their vision of the future. An environmentally friendly e-mobility future that is. To begin, the low slung CUV has an extremely low Cd of 0.25. A sedan sure, but a CUV/SUV?

It is also scheduled to incorporate an all-electric e-tron quattro drive with up to 470 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque on tap. Much of that power available down near launch RPMs.

2018 Audi e-tron quattro

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The All-Electric Drivetrain

The Audi e‑tron quattro concept a large electric traction motor to drive the front axle and two additional motors mounted to both rear wheel shafts.

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429 total system hp is available under normal circumstances but a boost mode is available for a few seconds providing up to that stated 470 hp and 590 lb-ft. of torque allowing the 60 mark to fly by in under 4.5 seconds while electronically limited to 130 mph top speed.

Given the Audi heritage, the concept will be every bit a sports car but in a multi passenger upright CUV platform.

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Controlling those three motors output is a traction focused drive management system. The driver decides on the degree of regeneration, the driving program S or D and the mode of the Audi drive select system.

During hard cornering, the Torque Control Manager initiates torque vectoring between the rear wheels for maximum road or off-road holding.

The large 95 kWh Li-Ion traction battery is located beneath the floor of the passenger compartment proving both a low center of gravity and a more balanced weight distribution. The claim of 310 miles/charge from almost every U.S. outlet in Frankfurt this week is an NEDC result with the EPA AER probably more along the lines of 230 to 250 miles. Thank God Auto journalists do not build cars, buildings or anything else for that matter.

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The vehicles can be charged via the SAE Combined Charging System (CCS) from high voltage DC or lower voltage AC with the high output DC at 150 kW taking just 50 minutes from flat to full.

Audi is also working on a wireless charging system with an autonomous parking solution that will park the e-tron Quattro concept exactly where it needs to be for an optimal and minimal loss induction charge.

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The chassis includes an adaptive air suspension with micro-controlled dynamic damping, and that lowers the body at higher speeds to reduce drag. The dynamic-all-wheel steering combines a dynamic steering system on the front axle with a steering system for the rear wheels. Depending on speed and the driving situation, they steer either opposite or in the same direction as the front wheels. In other words, the 2018 Audi e‑tron quattro CUV concept will be one hell of a corner hugger at speed.

2018 Audi e-tron quattro Concept Interior

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Moving inside, Audi provided little but the infographics showed some unique OLED technology displays and exterior lighting set for deployment. I cannot wait to see this in action.

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Wait until you read about the Porsche Mission E also revealed in Frankfurt earlier today.

More from the floor of the Frankfurt Auto Show, the Audi e-tron quattro CUV Concept as presented by members of Audi's leadership team.

2018 Audi e-tron quattro Concept in Frankfurt

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Prof. Rupert Stadler said:

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today’s highlight marks the dawn of a new era in automotive: The Audi e-tron quattro, a true technology icon. When Edison had the light bulb patented in 1880, he wasn’t the first person to have such a bright idea. But his solution was better: brighter, more durable, and more economical.

The Audi e-tron quattro concept is electrifying. It has invigorated our entire company. We have made many decisions of strategic dimensions: We drive the battery and the battery management by ourselves. We have the battery cells made by supply partners, based on close relationships - high-energy modules for long range and extremely sporty driving. With the e-tron, you can drive non-stop and without emissions from Frankfurt to Berlin. We decided to develop and produce the battery technology in Europe – and this solution is competitive.

We also fundamentally redesigned the electric motor. We have concentrated the expertise for it in a technical center at our engine plant in Hungary. The result: significantly higher degree of efficiency than is usual for an electric motor. For long distances above 500 kilometers, we aim for a worldwide fast-charging infrastructure. During short stops, our customers will charge up with enough electricity for the next stage of a long journey.

Ladies and gentlemen, the automobile of the future is a high-performance digital mobile device.

Nowadays, bits and bytes are almost as important as oil or electricity. That’s why for example access to the world’s best mapping 3D material is a competitive factor. And up to date as a self-learning cloud solution. We use this data for new assistance systems and do not leave this to Silicon Valley companies. With piloted driving and parking, more and more artificial intelligence is entering our cars. By 2030, artificial intelligence will be equal to human intelligence.

We at Audi demonstrate “Vorsprung durch Technik” also in terms of digital progress. This year, we have won all the major prizes for the best connected car – nationally and internationally. Digital assistants on board, connected systems and swarm intelligence make the car safer, more efficient and much more comforting for the customer. We are in sync with our customers’ and the society’s desire for a maximum of mobility, freedom and progress.

Our car of the future will provide support. It will think with the driver. That is our mission we pursue jointly with our most talented engineers, our best software developers and IT experts as well as our strong Audi team. That and no less is our mission. Thank you.

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Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ulrich Hackenberg said:

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is the OLED lighting that puts the Audi e-tron quattro concept on stage – as a veritable sculpture. Our first battery-electric SUV for the top segment is the pinnacle of future mobility. The International Motor Show in Frankfurt is the ideal place for a groundbreaking highlight such as the Audi e-tron quattro concept. In 2018, we will take its serial version to the roads – with all typical SUV functionalities. The Audi e-tron quattro concept brings everything that resonates with „Vorsprung durch Technik“. And it offers everything our customers expect from their Audi: Sportiness and emotion, safety and comfort, intuitive connectivity and piloted functions – and all of this comes efficiently and emission-free.

Our latest concept car has been designed as an e-tron quattro, a high-performance SUV with electrified all-wheel drive. Three electro motors are the fundament for sporty dynamics, both in longitudinal and transversal direction. So it makes the 0 to 100 sprint in only 4.6 sec. For the first time ever, we achieve a range of more than 500 km with only one battery charge – thanks to a powerful 95 kWh battery capacity. Charging works fast and smoothly – as of 2017, you will benefit from a fast-charging network for highways. Then it takes less than 30 min charging for a 400 km range. You may take a look at the charging station just outside, in front of the Audi booth. In particular, for low power charging, we also plan for inductive charging with piloted vehicle positioning. This is very handy to use in your garage at home. With that, the Audi e-tron quattro concept is our key embassador for electric long-distance mobility with hundred percent everyday suitability.

Ladies and gentlemen, the second generation of our modular longitudinal matrix system is the fundament this concept car has been developed upon. This concept allows for great efficiency and tremendous variety – among others for drivetrain technologies but also for infotainment and driving assistance. Appealing design and excellent aerodynamics – that’s the Audi e-tron quattro concept. Its superior cd coefficient of only 0.25 is based upon various measures –among others, we reach this milestone by steering the air shutters on the hood, replacing the rear-view mirrors by cameras and installing diffusor and tail spoiler that are able to flexibly adjust to speed.

In my firm belief, this concept is truly a pioneering solution – simply and truly Audi. With the
Audi e-tron quattro concept, the mobility of the future has become an incremental part of our present. Thank you.

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Audi at the 2015 IAA – The e-tron Quattro Concept

Audis outlook on the future.

At the 2015 International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt, Audi presented many different new products. The main focus was the new near-production Audi e-tron quattro concept car – a sporty SUV with an all-electric drive.

At Audi, the mobility of the future is charged with emotion while being highly efficient – the Audi e-tron quattro concept offers an outlook on the brand’s first large-scale production electric car that will arrive on the market in 2018. It is based on the second-generation modular longitudinal platform, which offers considerable degrees of freedom in configuring the drive system and package. The design of the sporty SUV is based in large part on aerodynamic requirements – with a Cd figure of 0.25, the car sets the benchmark in the SUV segment. The electric drive – with three electric motors that output up to 370 kW – follows the e-tron quattro concept. The Li-Ion battery enables over 500 km (310.7 mi) of driving range NEDC (230 to 250 miles on the EPA) and thereby full everyday practicality. Innovative technical solutions in the areas of controls and infotainment also deliver a high level of convenience and user friendliness. The Audi e-tron quattro concept comes equipped with the technology for piloted driving.

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The Brand of Four Rings future is brighter than ever no matter the preferred fuel we will use through the medium term.